The Devil's Music BBC 1976

This book of a TV series by the BBC wasn't my first or the best blues book I had but it is significant to me as I won it in an essay writing competition at school. I was a really bad apple at school constantly being caned and getting into trouble so it was a major thing for me. Slightly embarrassing having my short story 'The Mountain' printed in the school magazine but a free book is a free book. I maybe one day will post the story - it's set in the Franco-Prussian war - well I was 16 OK

Below is a clip from the series

Oh Mr Porter (1937) full movie

Will Hay (1888-1949), one of the greatest British comedians ever, in what many consider to be his greatest comedy ever! 

Frome school c1775 unknown artist

This is the centre of town before shops were built in the bridge. We used to call it the Blue school. See what it looks like now
Has interesting figures of children set in recesses in the front. Building dates from 1736.

New mining blog

Thought I would put all the mining movies and stuff in the same place so started this blog https://coalminingmovies.blogspot.com/
Tell your friends

The 1976 BBC adaptation of "How Green Was My Valley" starring Stanley Baker and Siân Phillips .

Article on the author.
Watched the John Ford version today and thought had it ever been remade and it has with real Welsh locations and Welsh actors.
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6

Battle of George Square 1919 31 January

The "Battle of George Square" was a violent confrontation in Glasgow, Scotland between Glasgow City Police and striking Glasgow workers, centred around George Square. The 'battle', also known as "Bloody Friday" or "Black Friday", took place on Friday 31 January 1919^[1], 82 days after the end of the First World War. In its aftermath the leaders of the strike were arrested and British troops, supported by six tanks, were moved to key points in Glasgow and its surrounding areas^[2]. There were no fatalities.^[3]

50 years ago today - the Beatles rooftop concert

A year since Mark E Smith died

Glossy photo sent out by the fanclub in the 90s

First ever UK miners strike - Kingswood 1738

1738; Colliers strike against a cut in wages. A week of mayhem against Bristol. A regiment of foot march into Kingswood to break the strike. More here
and here

Dummy board of a redcoat in 1738

A Recruiting Party

A Recruiting Party (including infantry and light dragoons, drinking and smoking in a tavern)

Tyning colliery Radstock

When my brother was down he bought me some negatives from Dustland Antiques a veritable treasure trove in Midsomer Norton. He knew it was a pit but that was all - I recognised the pics as of Tyning colliery Radstock (see map from 1906) and its spoil heap 'the batch' that took waste from other collieries. I gave them to Joe's Image Works a Norton picture restorer/digitising service and the results can be seen here. 

Bo Diddley's 90th birthday

Bo Diddley would have been 90 today. Saw him in Bristol. My brother's first ever gig - he reminded me when he was last visiting. He came with us and was well underage. We went into a pub beforehand and I apparently said be discreet and he promptly knocks a pint over Sue's legs. Funnily enough that memory had been extinguished. Was supposed to be playing Frome but had a stroke. Sad

Gene Vincent Rock and Roll Singer 1969 UK Tour Documentary

Very engaging documentary about one of his last tours. An early fly on the wall it's quite tragic. 

Fighting Radstock

Moses Horler's recollections are an insight into early Radstock before the coming of the railways in the 1860s. Extracts are printed in the book Radstock reminisces available from the Museum.
'However, I am sorry to be obliged to tell you, that when I was quite a boy, there was a great deal of fighting amongst the colliers here at Radstock and neighbourhood, and remember it as quite a common thing for these fights to last nearly an hour, and sometimes if the battle was not finished on Saturday nights, it would actually begin again on Monday, and they would even lose a day's work to finish it, and some of the gentry would go and see those fights, and I am afraid they sometimes helped to keep the battle going, by backing up one side or the other.'

Rolling Stones Gather Moss (1964) | British Pathé

Fun short

Difazio's of Frome

Andy Westlake wrote the above article for MCN.

All Good For the High Street - the Terraplanes

This is our new CD. Buy here. It was recorded in Midsomer Norton High Street hence the title. Music Post-punk. 

Bands at Coleford British Legion

Back in the 60s the small mining village of Coleford Somerset hosted some pretty memorable gigs. Lulu & the Luvvers, Them and the Pretty things are some of the names from the 60s.

No Thankful Village Chris Howell

The Great War centennial was good and popular. Yesterday BBCTV screened Peter Jackson's documentary 'They Shall Not Grow Old'. This made me dig out this book on the impact of the Great War on Radstock and Norton and surrounding villages. It's a great read and still available from Radstock Museum.

Huge crowds for the Remembrance parade in MIdsomer Norton.